coolant disappearing
 

Hello everyone,

I have a 97 E300D with 132xxx miles. Last summer, I started to notice "COOLANT LOW" would pop up on display so I took it to Mercedes shop and they replaced God knows what, I paid about $700. after a week of driving it, the issue returned and I took it back and they told me that is a different issue and after going through the checkup they called me and gave me a price of $1700 for redoing the cooling system. I went to the shop pretending that I will have the suggested work and upon arrival I asked for the keys and drove the car back home and garaged it until now.

I know I was taken for a ride and have very little faith in dealership and the shop I took it too which happens to be a very reputable shop in the area.

Given if I have the tools and know the issue, I can fix it on my own. So here is the issue:

I would pour the coolant, and then coolant disappears within a day or so. When I pour it in, I don't see or hear any leaks. I would like to fix it need directions to where should I start on it.

I would highly appreciate your help.
Thanks

Well if its not on the ground below the car in the morning its going into the engine and out the exhaust.

Leaking down the back of the block?


On my M103, I had a small coolant leak at the back of the block where the hoses come out for the heater core. When the system was under pressure, it would leak out the back, but when it was off, it was OK.

Thank you guys for your wisdom. I certainly don't mind doing the head gasket and all the other suggested items but would I smell the coolant if it was being going out the exhaust?

Anyway, lets say if I decided to the head gasket, what resources or special tools should I keep in mind. Highly appreciate your help.

Thanks.

if it's not leaking on the floor visably
 

and it's going away that's a head gasket issue...or as we say ... a valve job...might just as well as long as you are in that far...good luck

cliffmac,

Can you suggest who should I take this head to get the valve job done? I remember when I was doing my wrangler head, I took it to THUL auto services. Do you think they can do a mercedes or perhaps I should consider yellow pages?

Thanks a lot

Let us know where you are located (add info to signature {see mine below} via USER CP on menu bar) and maybe someone can suggest someone close to home.

might i suggest that you invest in a radiator pressure pump.if the cap on the reservoir is a screw-on you will need the adaptor.this car being a diesel,if you had head gasket problems both the way it drives and smoke from the exhaust should be evident.i have seen those cars where the water pump will only leak when it's cooled down.can you park the car on clean concrete o/night?how much water/antifreeze does it take to turn off the low coolant light?

Hey David,

I was wondering about the smoke and smell, because there is neither of these symptoms. I will take the car for a drive and then park it and see over night how much green stuff is on the pave.

Will let you know soon.

Thanks a lot.

You might need to pull your front belly pan; it may be catching everything and preventing it from hitting the ground.